Taiwan planning to buy two warships from U.S.

Taiwan is planning to purchase only two Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided missile frigates from the United States, despite Washington's offer to sell four of the vessels, Defense Minister Yen Ming said Monday.

The government had originally requested to buy more than four of the ships, but has now decided that it needs only two, Yen told lawmakers during a legislative hearing.

He was referring to the Taiwan Relations Act Affirmation and Naval Vessel Transfer Act of 2014 that cleared the U.S. House of Representatives April 7 to authorize the sale of four of the frigates to Taiwan.

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